Malaga vs Espanyol preview - Gracia not taking Espanyol lightly

Malaga manager Javi Gracia has dismissed the suggestion that Espanyol will be easier Primera Division opponents after competing in the Copa del Rey in mid-week.

The Catalans played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semi-final cup tie, but Gracia does not believe that plays into his team's hands.

"I don't think they will be a more accommodating team because they have played in the cup," Gracia told a press conference ahead of Saturday's encounter at La Rosaleda.

"Espanyol are in good form, they are growing in confidence and they are doing well at the moment. I think they will be no less competitive after the cup tie, if anything it will have lifted them because the result has swung the tie in their favour."

Malaga go into the game looking to compensate for their dismal 4-1 defeat at struggling Levante last week, and there is extra pressure on them to get a result against Espanyol given that next up is a trip to play Barcelona.

Gracia said: "It's going to be very difficult because from now on we have to play the two teams in the best form in the league at the moment."

Gracia is still without midfielder Duda, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, and long-term injured players Roberto Chen and Flavio Ferreira.

Espanyol midfielder Jose Canas is nursing a muscle strain and is coach Sergio Gonzalez's only concern ahead of the game, as Abraham has recovered from a muscle problem and first-choice goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has completed a one-game suspension after missing the 2-1 home defeat to Valencia last Sunday.

Like Gracia, Gonzalez believes his team will be in good shape for the match, despite their exertions against Athletic.

He told a press conference: "The only consequences are physical but everything else is fine - we are happy because the fans are excited about our cup run but now we have forgotten about the cup and will put it off for three weeks.

"I'm sure we'll be feeling fresh in the game, and at the very least, we'll be optimistic. I think we are in a good place physically and mentally."